Door check



12, 1958 D. SHANKWILER 2,846,713

DOOR CHECK Filed May 24, 1956 INVENTOR. J07? 5247712011 DOOR CHECK DonShanlrwiler, Highland Park, Mich.

Application May 24, 1956, Serial No. 597,017

11 Claims. (Cl. 16-83) This invention relates to door checks and, morepar-- ticularly, to an improved relatively small door check of the typewhich arrests the rate of closing of a door relative to a door jamb.

An important object of the invention is the provision of an improveddoor check which is preeminently efficient in arresting the rate ofmovement in closing of a door or the like and which is effective to easethe door into the closed position independently of the force of closureimparted to the door.

Another important object of the invention is the provision of animproved door check which is reliable in operation and which functionsto check the final movements of the door toward closing to preventslamming thereof irrespective of the speed with which the door is movedto the closed position.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved door check ofrelatively few parts which is economical of manufacture and rugged ofconstruction.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved door checkincorporating improved shock absorber means which is arranged to beinterposed between the door and the door jamb so as to cushion theimpact therebetween whenever the force of closure imparted to the doorequals or exceeds a predetermined value and which is arranged to bemoved clear of the door jamb whenever the force of closure imparted tothe door is less than the mentioned predetermined value.

The above as well as other objects and advantages of the invention willbecome apparent from the following description, the appended claims andthe accompanynig drawing, wherein:

Figure l is a front elevation of one form of the door check embodyingthe invention, showing the same affixed to a door;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view of the structure of Fig. 1, takenon the line 22 thereof, the arrangement of the jamb on the door openingbeing shown in section with relation to the door check in one of thefinal positions of the door in the movement of the same toward closing;

Figs. 3 and 4 are horizontal sectional views similar to Fig. 2 showingthe arrangement of the door check with respect to the door jamb when apredetermined force of closure is imparted to the door, and when thedoor is in the final closed position, respectively;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view of a modified form of constructionof the door check embodying the invention and showing the same aflixedto a door, the relative positions of the door check with respect to thedoor jamb being shown in solid section and in outline in one and anotherof the final positions of the door in the movement of the same towardclosing;

Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view similar to Fig. 5 when the door isin the final closed position; and

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line 77 of the structure ofFig. 5.

Referring to the drawing, door checks embodying the invention areadapted for mounting on the inside surface of a door adjacent the freeend thereof and are constructed and arranged to arrest the rate ofmovement in closing of a door or the like. In the forms of the inventionillustrated, the door check is shown afiixed to a door of well knownconstruction, the hinged end of which is mounted to pivot about avertical axis adjacent one vertical side or jamb of the door opening andthe free end of the door is adapted to be swung to the closed positionadjacent the opposite vertical side or jamb of the door opening.However, it should be understood that the door check is adapted for usein conjunction with other quite dissimilar door constructions and foruse with moving parts of structures other than doors which are actuablefrom open to closed positions and wherein it is desirable to check therate of closing of the moving part.

The door check embodying the invention has means adapted to engage ajamb of the door opening in the final movements of the door towardclosing and the said means comprises, among other structure, a blockmember formed of elastomeric material, means being provided for mountingthe block member on the inside surface of the door. In the closingmovements of the door, means are arranged to interpose the block memberbetween the inside surface of the door and the door jamb whenever apredetermined force of closure is imparted to the door. Foraccomplishing this function, a cam member is operatively associated withthe block member and is adapted to move the block member bodily clear ofthe door jamb when less force of closure than the mentionedpredetermined force is imparted to the door, the cam member and theblock member in this instance moving as a unit. When, however, the forceofclosure imparted to the door equals or exceeds a predetermined force,the cam member is adapted to move relative to the block member so thatthe block member is interposed between the door and the jamb of the dooropening to absorb the shock of impact therebetween. The relativemovement between the cam member and the block member is efiected bymeans of a resilient means which is transversely disposed with respectto the bi -l member. In one embodiment of the door check, the resilientmeans is an integral portion of the block men: and in another embodimentthe resilient means is in the form of a compression spring. In eachembodiment the cam member pivots relative to the block member.

Referring to the structure in more detail and specifically to theembodiment of the door check illustrated in Figs. 1-4, the means adaptedto eng e the jamb of the door opening in ti e tinalclosing movements ofthe door comprises a block member, generally designated 9, suitablyformed of elastomeric material. The block member 9 has an inner side lland an outer side 13 spaced longitudinally of the block member from theinner side llll. A cam member, generally designated 15, is associatedWith the block member 9 and has one end 15a pivotally mountedsubstantially in the plane of one face 17 of the block member 9. Theother end of the cam member defines a cam surface 15b which extendsbeyond the outer side 13 longitudinally of the block member 9 and in thenormal position of the cam member 15 the cam surface 15b is in front ofthe total extent of the outer side 13. In the instance shown, the cammember 15 is centrally disposed with respect to the block member h, andthe cam surface 15!) thereof is arcuately shaped and extends continuallyoutwardly of the outer side 13 from the one face 17 to the other face idof the block member 9. The other end of the cam member defining the camsurface 15b terminates in an inturned portion disposed inwardly of theouter side 13 in a centrally disposed recess, a wall of which isdesignated 21.

in the embodiment shown in Figs. l4, the outer side 13 of the blockmember is defined by two portions 911, integral with the block member 9and separated on: from the other to define the central recess referredto. A third portion of the block member, generally designated 9b, isdisposed between and integrally united with each of the portions 9a, andis shorter in dimension longitudinally of the block member to form thewall 21 of the central recess. The portion 9!) of the block member 9forms a resilient means permitting pivotal movement of the cam memberrelative to the block member 9. An aperture 23 is provided in portion915 of the block member through which a rivet pin 25 extends. One end ofthe rivet pin 25 extends through and is fianged over the end of the cammember, as at 25a, functioning as a stop means to retain the cam memberpermanently associated with the block member 9. The end 15a of the cammember extends over the major area of the portion 9/) substantially inthe plane of the face 17 of the blocl; member and is yieldably urged bythe portion 9b against the flanged end 25a of the pin 25. A forceapplied to the cam surface 15/) transversely of the block member 9 tothe left as viewed in Fig. 2, pivots the cam member 15 about the flangedend 25a against the urging of the resilient means formed by the portion9b of the block member to permit movement of the cam member relative tothe block mem her 9. The other end of the pin is similarly flanged overa hinge plate 27 contiguous with the face 19 of the block member tosecure the block member 9 and the cam member 15 to the hinge plate 27.Additional securing means is provided in the form of a pair of similarlyarranged rivet pins 29 each of which is disposed on one side of therivet pin 25 to insure retention of the block member 9 on the hingeplate 27.

The hinge plate 27 is pivotally connected to a hinge plate 31 by a pivotconnection, generally designated 33, forming a pivot axis for the blockmember 9 and the cam member The pivot connection 33, in the instanceshown, comprises a pivot pin 35 extending through the aperturedconnecting portions 27a and 31a for the hinge plates 27 and 31,respectively. concentrically disposed about the pivot pin 35 andcentrally of the connecting portions 31a, is resilient means, generallydesignated 37, in the form of a coil spring 39, one end of which engagesthe hinge plate 27, as at 41, and the other end of which engages thehinge plate 31 as at 43. The hinge plate 31 has apertures for receivingsecuring means in the form of wood screws in the instance shown foraffixing the hinge plate 31 to the inside surface of a door, as at 10,adjaccnt the free end 19a thereof. The resilient means 37 yieldablyurges the hinge plate 27 toward the free end 181: of the door so thatthe outer side 13 of the block member and the cam surface 15b of the cammember are obliquely disposed with respect to a corner 16 of the doorjamb. The door jamb is generally designated 12 and the corner 16 isformed, in the instance shown, by a molding 14 against which the insidesurface of the door at the free end 1011 comes to rest. In thisposition, a portion of the inner side 11 of the block member abuts withthe inside surface of the door and the longitudinal axis of the blockmember 9 makes an acute angle with the inside surface of the doorinwardly of the free end 10:: since the door is nearly parallel with theplane of the door opening in the final closing movements of the door.

in the operation of the embodiment of the door check illustrated inFigs. l4, when less force of closure than a predetermined force isimparted to the door, the cam surface 15]) engages the corner 16 of thedoor jamb in the final movements of the door toward closing. Therelative position of the door check with respect to the door jamb .vhenthe cam surface 15b has engaged the corner 16 is shown in one positionin Fig. 2. Continued movement of the door toward closing continues theengage- 4 ment of the cam surface 151; with the corner 16 of the doorjamb whereupon the corner 16 rides on the cam surface 15b. The reactiveforces developed at the corner 16 against the cam surface 151) pivotsthe cam member 15 and consequently the block member 9 bodily about thepivot axis defined by the pivot connection 33, against the urging of theresilient means 37. The block member 9 is thus moved clear of the doorjarnb and the door is gently eased into its final closed position asshown in Fig. 4

wherein the door check assumes a position in the door opening inwardlyof the corner 16 adjacent the door jamb.

The term force of closure" as used throughout the specification and inthe appended claims is intended to mean the force with which the door isactuated toward the closed position and, for a given weight or mass ofthe door, the acceleration as well as the rate of movement of the dooris embraced by the term since a corresponding increase in theacceleration or in the rate of movement of the door occurs when theforce of closure imparted to the door increases.

Whenever the force of closure imparted to the door exceeds apredetermined force, the block member 9 is interposed between the doorjamb and the inside surface of the door. When the above occurs the doorcheck then assumes a position with respect to the door jambsubstantially as that shown in Fig. 3. During this movement of the door,the cam member 15 is pivoted about its end 15a with respect to the blockmember 9 against the urging of the resilient means in the form of theportion 911 of the block member. Pivotal movement of the cam member 15is effected by the actuation of the cam surface 151) transversely of theblock member 9 to the left as viewed in Fig. 2 by the reactive forcesdeveloped at the corner 16 thereagainst. The cam surface 15b assumes aposition substantially as that shown in Fig. 3, and in this position,portions, as at 47, of the outer side 13 of the block member are clearof the cam surface 15b, i. e., the cam surface 15b does not extend infront of the portions 47. The portions 47 of the outer side 13 of theblocl; member are the first to strike the corner 16 while the inner side11 of the block member abuts with the inside surface of the door. Theblock member 9 absorbs the shock of impact which would otherwise occurbetween the door and the door jamb, and the properties of the materialof the block member are such as to cause the door to rebound from thedoor jamb. The force of closure of the door following the rebound isconsiderably reduced and, if below the predetermined force of closure,the door will be eased into the closed position by pivotal movement ofthe block member 9 clear of the door jamb through the engagement of thecam surface 15 by the corner 16 of the door jamb against the urging ofthe resilient means 37 as described. The force of closure at which theblock member 9 is interposed between the door and the door jamb ispredeterminedly selected by design of the door check, taking intoconsideration, among other factors, the relative resistance to bodilypivotal movement of the block member and cam member developed by theresilient means 37, the resistance to pivotal movement of the cam member15 with respect to the block member 9 developed by the resilient meansin the form of the portion 9b of the block member, by the distance thatthe cam surface 15 extends beyond the outer side 13 of the block member,and by the shape of cam surface.

Referring now to the embodiment shown in Figs. 57, the construction andoperation is similar to the previous embodiment except that the blockmember, generally designated 51, is formed of two separate portions 510of elastomeric material spaced one from the other as shown in Fig. 7,and the resilient means transversely of the block member is in the formof a compression spring constructed and arranged as will be described.In this embodiment each of the portions 51a of the block member issecured to the hinge plate 27 by a rivet pin 53 which extends throughthe portion 51a and has one end flanged over the hinge plate 27. Theother end of each rivet pin 53 is flanged over stop means in the form ofa bracket member 55 which lies substantially in the plane of the face 19of the block member 51 and extends across the space between the twoportions 51a. A pin 59 is provided which extends from the bracket member55 through an aperture in the end 15a of the cam member 15 and into thespace between the portions 51a. Resilient means, generally designated61, operates transversely of the block member 51 and, in the instanceshown, is a compression spring 63 coaxially disposed with respect to thepin 59 so as to be guided thereby. One end of the spring 61 bearsagainst the hinge plate 27 and the other end urges the end 15a of thecam member against the bracket member 55. The cam member 15 is thusmounted for pivotal movement with respect to the block member 51 andactuation of the cam surface 15b thereof to the left as viewed in Fig.pivots the cam member 15 against the urging of the compression spring63, the bracket member 55 serving as a fulcrum for the edge of the end15a of the cam member. The cam surface 15b in the normal positionthereof extends in front of and beyond the outer side 65 longitudinallyof the block member 51 and has the configuration substantially asdescribed. The resilient means 37 functions to yieldably urge the blockmember 51 toward the free end litla of the door so that the cam surface15b and the outer side 65 of the block member are obliquely disposedwith respect to the corner 16 of the door jamb and the inner side 67 ofthe block member abuts the inside surface of the door as previouslydescribed. The inner side 67 may be tapered as shown for this purpose.

In operation of the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 5-7, thepivotal movement of the cam member 15 with respect to the block member51 is against the urging of the compression spring 63. The relationbetween the door check and the door jamb in one position of the door inthe final closing movements thereof is shown in solid section in Fig. 5.When less force of clostu'e than a predetermined force is imparted tothe door, the corner 16 of the door jamb engages the cam surface 151) sothat the reactive forces on the cam surface 151), as the door continuesto move toward closed position, pivots the cam member 15 and the blockmember 51 bodily against the urging of the resilient means 37 to clearthe block member of the door jamb whereupon the door is eased into finalclosed position, as shown in Fig. 6. Where, however, the force ofclosure imparted to the door equals or exceeds the predetermined force,the cam surface 15b effects movement of the cam to the left, as viewedin Fig. 5, relative to the block member and the cam assumes the positionindicated by the reference numeral 15b, pivotal movement of the cammember with respect to the block member taking place against the urgingof the spring 63. Portions of'the outer side 65 of the block member 51are thus disposed outwardly of the cam surface 15b and engage the corner16 while the inner side 67 of the block member 51 abuts the insidesurface of the door. The force of impact is absorbed by the block member51 and the properties of the same are such that the door rebounds fromthe door jamb and again approaches the closed position with reducedforce of closure. If the force of closure with which the door returnsfrom the rebound equals or exceeds the predetermined force of closure,the operation described will repeat itself until the force of closurewith which the door approaches the door jamb is below the predeterminedforce. in this event, the door will be eased into the final closedposition with the block member 51 being moved bodily clear of the doorjamb by the cooperation of the cam surface 151; with the corner 16 ofthe door jamb.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed, it will be understood that various modifications may be madewithout departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A door check for mounting on a door, said door check having meansadapted to engage the door jamb in the final movement of the door towardclosed position, said means comprising a resilient block and a cammember having a cam surface engageable with the door jamb during thefinal movement of the door toward closed position, means for mountingsaid block member and said cam member on the inside surface of the dooradjament the free vertical edge thereof so that said block member andsaid cam surface are obliquely disposed with respect to a corner of thedoor jamb, means permitting relative movement between said block memberand said cam member so as to interpose said block member between theinside surface of the door and said corner when a predetermined force ofclosure is imparted to the door whereby said cam member will pivot saidblock member clear of the door jamb when less force of closure than saidpredetermined force is imparted to the door and said block member willassume a position adjacent the door jamb inwardly of said corner whenthe door is in the fully closed position.

2. A door check for mounting on a door, said door check having meansadapted to engage the door jamb in the final movement of the door towardclosed position, said means comprising a block member formed ofelastomeric material and having an inner side and an outer side spacedfrom said inner side longitudinally of said block member, and a cammember having a cam surface extending beyond said outer sidelongitudinally of said block member, means pivotally mounting said blockmember and said cam member on the inside surface of the door about apivot axis adjacent the free vertical edge thereof, a first resilientmeans yieldably urging said block member and said cam member about saidpivot axis in one direction so that said block member and said camsurface are obliquely disposed with respect to a corner of the doorjamb, a second resilient means permitting relative movement between saidblock member and said cam member so as to interpose said block memberbetween the inside surface of the door and said corner when apredetermined force of closure is imparted to the door, said cam surfaceengaging said corner upon actuation of the door with the predeterminedforce of closure whereupon said second resilient means functions topermit movement of said cam surface transversely of said block member sothat a portion of said outer side of said block member strikes saidcorner while a portion of said inner side of said block member abuts theinside surface of the door, said cam surface engaging said corner uponactuation of the door with less force of closure than said predeterminedforce whereupon said cam member functions to pivot said block memberbodily about said pivot axis in a direction opposite to said onedirection against the urging of said first resilient means to assume aposition adjacent the door jamb inwardly of said corner when said dooris in the closed position.

3. A door check for mounting on a door and adapted to engage the jamb ofthe door opening in the final movement of the door toward closedposition, said door check comprising a block member formed ofelastomeric material and having an inner and an outer side, said outerside being spaced from said inner side longitudinally of said blockmember, a cam member centrally disposed with respect to said blockmember and having a cam surface extending in a first position in frontof and beyond said outer side longitudinally of said block member,

means pivotally mounting said block member and said cam member on theinside surface of the door about a pivot axis adjacent the free endthereof, a first resilient means yieldably urging said cam member andsaid block member bodily about said pivot axis in one direction so thatsaid block member and said cam surface are obliquely disposed withrespect to a corner of the door jamb and so that a portion of said innerside of said block member 7 abuts with the inside surface of the door, asecond resilient means normally biasing said cam member so that said camsurface is in said first position and permittng pivotal movement of saidcam member relative to said block member so as to interpose said blockmember between the inside surface of the door and said corner when apredetermined force of closure is imparted to the door whereby said cammember will move said block member clear of the door jamb when less foreof closure than a predetermined force is imparted to the door.

4. The invention according to claim 3 wherein the longitudinal axis ofsaid block member makes an acute angle with the inside surface of thedoor inwardly of the free end thereof in the normal position of saidblock member by the urging of said first resilient means and whereinsaid block member comprises two portions separated one from the otherinwardly of said outer side forming a recess and wherein portions ofsaid cam surface are operatively disposed in said recess to movetransversely of said block member.

5. The invention according to claim 4 further including stop means fixedwith respect to said block substantially in the plane of one face ofsaid block member and wherein the said second resilient means istransversely disposed with respect to said block member inwardly of saidrecess and yicldably urges one end of said cam member against said stopmeans and wherein the other end portion of said cam member defines saidcam surface and is arcuately shaped extending in said first position ofsaid cam surface from said one face continually outwardly from saidouter side to the other face of said block member.

6. The invention according to claim 5 wherein the said mounting meanscomprises a first hinge plate secured to said block member along saidother face, a second hinge plate, and means pivotally connecting saidfirst and second hinge plates including a pivot pin, said firstresilient means including a helical spring concentrically disposed aboutsaid pivot pin and having one end engaging said first hinge plate andthe other end engaging said second hinge plate.

7. The invention according to claim 6 wherein the construction andarrangement of said first and second resilient means with respect toeach other is such that the resistance to pivotal movement of said blockmember and said cam member bodily about said pivot axis developed bysaid first resilient means is less than the resistance to pivotalmovement of said cam member with respect to said block member developedby said second resilient means when said cam surface engages said cornerof the door jamb.

8. The invention according to claim 7 wherein the said two portions ofsaid block member are separated one from the other over the entirelength longitudinally of said block member and wherein said secondresilient means comprises a compression spring disposed in the spacebetween said two portions of said block member, one end of said springengaging said one end of said cam member and the other end of saidspring engaging said first hinge plate.

9. The invention according to claim 8 wherein said stop means comprisesa bracket member lying substantially in the plane of said one face ofsaid block member and extending across said space between said twoportions of said block member, a rivet pin extending through each ofsaid two portions of said block member and having one end secured tosaid first hinge plate and the other end secured to said bracket member,and a pin projecting centrally from said bracket member through said oneend of said cam member into said space so as to be disposed within saidcompression spring for guiding the movement thereof.

10. The invention according to claim 4 wherein said second resilientmeans comprises a third portion of elastomeric material disposed betweenand integrally united with said two portions of said block member, saidthird portion forming a wall of said recess and having one face engagingsaid one end of said cam member and having the other face engaging saidfirst hinge plate.

11. The invention according to claim 10 further including stop meanscomprising a rivet pin extending through said third portion of blockmember and having one end sccured to said first hinge plate, the otherend of said rivet pin extending through and flanged over said one end ofsaid cam member, said other flanged end of said rivet pin lyingsubstantially in the plane of said one face of said block member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,040,360 Lee Oct. 8, 1912 1,699,189 Hoen Jan. 15, 1929 2,541,179Sponsler Feb. 13, 1951

